Time-motion calculator

ABSTRACT

Times required to perform various work tasks are obtained quickly and easily by reading a printed card which slides within an open-ended envelope having windows at particular locations.

United States Patent Sellie 51 Mar. 21, 1972 [54] TIME-MOTION CALCULATOR 2,794,597 6/1957 Maloof ..235/89 3,025,767 3/1962 Ruffalo.... ..235/ X [72] Chm! Nmhbmk' 3,125,290 3/1964 Smith ..235/89 [73] Assignee: International Standards Incorporated S.A.

FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1970 1,256,635 2/1961 France ..235/89 [211 App]. No.: 73,031

Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky 52 us. 01. ..235/89 R, 1 16/135 Assistant Examiner-stanley Wal 511 1111.01 ..G06c 3/00 Arr/M04911 Byrne [58] Field of Search ..235/89 R, R, 70 R, 70 A,

235/70 C, 61 B; 116/135; 35/75 ABSTRACT Times required to perform various work tasks are obtained [56] References and quickly and easily by reading a printed card which slides UNITED STATES PATENTS within an open-ended envelope having windows at particular locations. 2,614,751 10/1952 Hienz, Sr. 2,777,617 l/l957 Matt ..235/70 X 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures REACH DIST.

STANDARD MOTION VALUES 3 OBTAIN/PLACE PRE POSITION 2 CLOSED TARG.

MAJOR DIM.

" EH ESE-2E3 ADD FOR JUMBLED GRASP MAJOR DIM --30 (ILE TEPS (2 LEGS) s WALKING DIST OPEN OONF RSI'R DIST OBTAIN/ ASIDE-SKID m DISTANCE OFF FLOOR QGEurbum-m- BODY TURNS 2 LEGS 90 I LE6 EACH ADD'L 5 STEPS EACH ADD'L 1o STEPS ADD FOR TURN I20 SQUAT ISO ARISEIBO TOOL HANDLING IR TOOLS ON BENCH SUSP NDED TIME-MOTION CALCULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to card calculators and, more specifically, to calculators for determining the amount of time required to perform certain manual and mental work tasks.

In determining the amount of time required to perform a particular work task, efficiency experts subdivide the task into its component motions or steps. lt has been found that most tasks are composed of a finite number of simple motions, such as bending and reaching, and accordingly the time required to perform a certain task, no matter how complex, can be determined by summing the times required for its component motions. In order to analyze a large variety of tasks a substantial number of simple motions must be timed, and the results must be compiled in some reasonable manner. Such figures have frequently been put in tabular form and published in handbooks or manuals, but these entail considerable expense and tend to be bulky and difficult to read.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device for calculating quickly and easily the time required to perform a variety of work tasks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for displaying in easily readable form the time required to perform a variety of simple motions or steps.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device which is inexpensive, light, and compact.

Another important objective of this invention is in the arrangement of data on the slide and on the exterior of the pocket portion for maximizing the number of calculations which can be performed while minimizing the size of the calculator itself.

A still further objective of the invention is in the arrangement of data on the slide member with the windows and data of the pocket member to lessen the number of movements in calculating many of the more common time-movement studies.

These and other objects and advantages are attained in a card calculator which comprises a card having time intervals and other data printed on its face and an open-ended and windowed envelope, preferably constructed of plastic, within which the card slides. The data is printed on the card in predetermined locations. As the card ismoved'within the envelope, the data appears through the-windows and presents the viewer with easily readable information regarding the time required to perform a variety of simple motions or steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The operation and advantage of this invention will be best understood by reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. I shows a time-motion calculator constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a surface of the printed card used with the calculator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A time-motion calculator having a card enclosed within an envelope 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Envelope 12, preferably constructed of plastic, has open ends 14 and 16 and its interior passageway is slightly wider than card 10, thus permitting card 10 to slide longitudinally with respect to the envelope.

Printed on the face of envelope 12 are a plurality of boxes or blocks designated by even numerals 18 through 36. Each of these blocks includes at least one window, outlined by bold lines in FIG. 1, which permits numerals printed in proper locations on card 10 to be viewed through the envelope 12. Arrows A which are also printed on card 10 are viewed through certain of the windows and positioned adjacent to figures printed on envelope 12 in order to obtain time-motion data from the calculator.

Use of the time-motion calculator to obtain data may be better understood-by examining in detail the operation of one of the individual blocks, for example block 18. Block 18 contains data which indicates the time required to obtain or lift a load from one point and place it at another point. As is shown in block 18, this obtain/place time is a function of the distance of the lift point from the worker, the distance through which the load is to be displaced, and the weight of the load. To obtain a reading, the arrow is set opposite the reach distance on the left of block 18. Then the weight of the load is read at the top of block 18 (illustratively 7 or 20 lb. in FIG. 1) and the time is read adjacent the appropriate displacement distance along the bottom of block 18. The number appearing through the window in this location is the time required to perform the particular obtain/place operation, illustratively in FIG. 1 in units of 10,000s of a minute. Thus, if it is desired to lift a 20 lb. load from a point 12" away through a distance of 24", the calculator indicates that 0.0290 minutes are required.

In a similar manner the blocks designated by even numerals 20 through 36 are used to calculate the time required for other basic steps. Blocks 20, 22, and 24 are used to determine the time required to obtain a load from a certain distance or to place a load at a certain distance from the worker. Thus, it is seen that it requires 0.0160 minutes to obtain a 20 lb. load from a point 12" away and 0.0180 to place a 20 lb. load on a point 12" away. Block 26 indicates the time required to preposition an object (that is, rotate the object until it has a particular attitude) in preparation for acting on the objectfurther in some manner. The time depends on the largest dimension of the object, the percentage of objects grasped which must be prepositioned, and whether or not objects are being grasped simultaneously in both hands. Block 30 indicates the time which must be added to the figure obtained from block 26 in the event that-the objects are difficult to grasp.

Block 28 shows how long it takes to locate an object in an open target (that is, a target, like a channel or groove which can be approached from two directions) or a closed target (for example, a hole), depending on the amount of clearance between the object and the target. Additional columns show the time in relation to the weight of the object and the number of objects being located simultaneously. Block 32 shows the time required and the distance covered when a certain number of paces are taken. Times are also given for walking which takes place in a restricted (partially obstructed) or confined (fully obstructed) area, and the distance is given for walking in a restricted area.

Block 34 shows the time necessary to place a load on or retrieve a load from a skid or pallet as a function of the distance of the skid off the floor and the weight of the load. Finally, block 36 indicates the time required to move tools of various types and sizes to the position of use (work) or to the general location of the job (area).

Thus, it is apparent that a variety of data used in time-motion studies can be obtained easily and speedily from the face of calculator 12. The quantity and arrangement of the data is arranged in a manner to make this type of calculator possible. Furthermore, different varieties of data, such as data relating to reaching, grasping, and disengaging motions, to name but a few, and visual and mental processes are displayed on the face of the calculator to lessen the number of movements required for calculation and thus reduce the chances for error.

Although the invention has been described relative to a preferred illustrative embodiment thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be effected in this embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for computing the amount of time required for humans to perform certain physical motions comprising an envelope defining a pocket and having an opening in one end thereof, a card of a dimension similar to said envelope slidably received in said pocket through said opening in said one end, said envelope being sectioned into a plurality of areas on'its surface for making a particular time calculation for a particular physical motion, a first window in said envelope of each said areas, a second window in said envelope in each of said areas extending transversely of said first window, first indicia means on said card comprising numerals indicating time periods, said numerals being aligned in rows on said card to correspond with said first window, second and third indicia means on said envelope aligned with and adjacent said first and second windows respectively in each of said areas, said second and third indicia means comprising variable data affecting the time to perform a certain physical movement, and pointer means on said card visible through said second window in each area, whereby, when said pointer means is aligned with particular variable data of said third indicia means along said second window, the time for performing a particular physical movement can be determined by matchingsaid time period numerals with the selected variable data of said second indicia means along said first window.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required to obtain an object from a first location and place said object at a second location, said second indicia means in said one area comprising various weights of various objects, and various distances to said second location, and said third indicia means in said one area comprising various distances to said first location.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said second indicia means further includes variable data relating to the shapes of various objects being obtained and placed.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required to preposition an object to a particular attitude, said second and third indicia means in said one area comprising various sizes of various objects, various percentages of objects grasped which must be prepositioned and the various numbers of objects being prepositioned at one time.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required for walking, and wherein said second indicia means in said one area includes the number of paces taken and said third indicia means includes data relative to the restriction of the walking path. 

1. A device for computing the amount of time required for humans to perform certain physical motions comprising an envelope defining a pocket and having an opening in one end thereof, a card of a dimension similar to said envelope slidably received in said pocket through said opening in said one end, said envelope being sectioned into a plurality of areas on its surface for making a particular time calculation for a particular physical motion, a first window in said envelope of each said areas, a second window in said envelope in each of said areas extending transversely of said first window, first indicia means on said card comprising numerals indicating time periods, said numerals being aligned in rows on said card to correspond with said first window, second and third indicia means on said envelope aligned with and adjacent said first and second windows respectively in each of said areas, said second and third indicia means comprising variable data affecting the time to perform a certain physical movement, and pointer means on said card visible through said second window in each area, whereby, when said pointer means is aligned with particular variable data of said third indicia means along said second window, the time for performing a particular physical movement can be determined by matching said time period numerals with the selected variable data of said second indicia means along said first window.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required to obtain an object from a first location and place said object at a second location, said second indicia means in said one area comprising various weights of various objects, and various distances to said second location, and said third indicia means in said one area comprising various distances to said first location.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said second indicia means further includes variable data relating to the shapes of various objects being obtained and placed.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required to preposition an object to a particular attitude, said second and third indicia means in said one area comprising various sizes of various objects, various percentages of objects grasped which must be prepositioned and the various numbers of objects being prepositioned at one time.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third indicia means in at least one of said areas provides means for calculating the time required for walking, and wherein said second indicia means in said one area includes the number of paces taken and said third indicia means includes data relative to the restriction of the walking path. 